I’ve written before about how this has been a season where many have been quick to throw opinions and judgements around. That means that leaders have most likely received more criticism in this season than ever before. However, what I’ve realised is that most leaders will also have recieved a lot of encouragement as well, and most likely the encouragement would outstrip the criticism. The problem is critique sticks longer than encouragement.

So what can we do about that?

We can get out our encouragement folders!

Our what, I hear you cry!

Well, for years now I have kept a digital folder on my notetaking app, and everytime I receive a note, a thank you, prophecy etc. I copy it into that folder. That means that in seasons where the critique feels louder than the encouragement I am able to go to those notes and get the encouragements to stick.

I would ‘encourage’ anyone who leads to begin this practise today. You can thank me later…… and I’ll put it in my folder!